The Result of Lenient Immigration Policies
The United States has long been a beacon of opportunity, but our immigration system faces significant challenges that threaten national stability. From voter integrity to public safety and economic growth, the consequences of lenient immigration enforcement have been far-reaching. With 5-10% of Americas population being undocumented immigrants, Investing in aggressive immigration enforcement has become crucial for national security to create safer communities, ensure free and fair elections, and strengthen the economy.
Create Safer Communities
Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University, was murdered during a morning jog on the University of Georgia campus in February 2024. Jose Ibarra, the 26-year-old Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022, was convicted for the murder of Laken Riley. (1)
Minelys Rodriguez was a 25 year old engaged Georgia mom and fitness Tiktoker. “Mimi followed the law, worked hard and raised a family here, yet her life was stolen by an illegal alien who had no right to be in this country,” said Georgia Senator John Albers. Her remains were found about a week after she was reported missing. Her killer is one case of a plethora of immigrants convicted of murder living in the US. More than 13,000 immigrants convicted of homicide are living outside of immigration detention in the U.S., and those are of only know cases. (2) Ensuring aggressive immigration enforcement prevents heinous crimes by removing dangerous individuals who pose a threat to the safety of Americans.
Free and Fair Elections
Current immigration policies that allow non-citizens to vote without ID undermine national security by diluting the voting power of U.S. citizens. The U.S. Census includes all residents, regardless of immigration status, which unfairly skews congressional representation. For example, states with large undocumented populations, like California, gain additional congressional seats, diminishing representation for states with fewer immigrants. Additionally, 12 states and Washington, D.C., permit voting without ID, further weakening the integrity of elections (3).
Programs like the Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement use taxpayer funds to resettle refugees (4) in swing states, potentially shifting electoral outcomes. Two of the top five resettlement states, Arizona and Michigan (5), are key battlegrounds where immigrant are most often “resettled”, clearly contributing to unfair elections.
Strengthen the economy
Aggressive immigration enforcement means not just addressing illegal entry but also thoroughly vetting legal applicants. A merit-based system prioritizing skills, education, and economic contributions would help America attract and keep the best talent. The Cato Institute’s 2019 report found that increasing high-skilled immigration by 50% could indeed grow the U.S. GDP by $244 billion over the next 10 years(6). This finding highlights the significant economic benefits that immigrants can bring to the U.S. economy. Focusing on skilled immigration by enforcing deportations of undocumented immigrants and adopting a merit-based system for legal entry can drive significant economic growth and strengthen the nation’s competitiveness.
Securing America’s National Stability
Implementing aggressive immigration enforcement is essential to addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by current policies. By fostering safer communities, securing election integrity, and promoting a merit-based immigration system, the United States can protect its citizens while driving economic growth. An aggressive approach to immigration reform to undo damage done by the Biden administration would ensure the nation remains stable, prosperous, and globally competitive.
Source links
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Laken_Riley
- https://www.nbcnews.com/investigations/13000-immigrants-convicted-homicide-living-freely-us-ice-data-rcna173125
- https://thehill.com/homenews/4969868-states-require-aid-vote-in-person/
- https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr
- https://usafacts.org/articles/where-do-refugees-resettle-in-the-us/
- https://manhattan.institute/article/the-lifetime-fiscal-impact-of-immigrants
